A policy that would implement a bell-to-bell ban on students’ use of cellphones during the school day has been introduced by the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education.
The school board held first reading on the policy at its July 21 meeting. If it is given final approval at the August school board meeting, it would go into effect for the 2026-27 school year.
The proposed policy brings the school district into line with a new state law and guidelines developed by the state Commissioner of Education for internet-enabled devices, school district officials said.
The policy defines “bell to bell” as the timeframe when the bell rings at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. It includes lunch and the time between class periods.
Internet-enabled devices include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, and any other device that is capable of connecting to the internet, according to the policy. It includes social media applications.
Students who bring cellphones and other internet-enabled devices must turn them off and store them in a storage system. The devices must be password-protected by the student, so only he or she can use it.
Laptops, tablets, and learning management systems issued to students by the school district for educational purposes in the classroom are exempt from the policy.
There are other exceptions to the policy, such as the use of an internet-connected device by students with special needs, if it is necessary to fulfill their individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan.
The device can be used for translation services or to implement a student health plan that monitors or addresses a student’s health condition, provided there is documentation to support its use.
A student who is a caregiver and responsible for the care or well-being of a family member also is permitted to have a cellphone during school hours.
However, the policy drew some criticism from a Princeton High School junior at the July 21 school board meeting.
The student agreed that the devices should not be used in the classroom, but it would be hard to monitor it outside of the classroom. Students will find a way to get around the policy, she said.
Superintendent of Schools Mike LaSusa and school board president Dafna Kendal said the school district is following the law.
“We have no choice. We have to follow the law,” LaSusa said.
